Although studies of social contact and mutual aid between the elderly and their children suggest impressive potentials for family supports, much less is known of this potential in a situation of illness and dependency. The family's potential at that stage when the older person's health deteriorates to the point that some external support is required was examined. Subjects were 170 families drawn from hospital discharge records and interviewed two weeks later. Findings indicate that, while the motivation of children to provide support was unusually high, situational impediments were likely to intervene, and center on job responsibilities, care of other dependents, and higher priorities on the marriage and family of orientation. The major family caretaker was likely to be a spouse or sibling, often in poor health himself. Despite the numerous difficulties experienced by those in poor health who were being cared for by others in the same status, a high valuation on their own independence prevented the search for other alternatives. (Author)